About Master’s Program,
The one-year Gender Studies MA program trains students in critical race, gender, and sexuality studies and social justice.
Gender Studies at Queen’s distinctively foregrounds critical race conceptual frameworks at all levels of our undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Students examine gender, our key category of analysis, in terms of its interdependence with race, class, nation, sexuality, disability, age, religion, colonialism and globalization. Students conduct research in Canada and internationally and articulate their scholarship with local and global action for social justice. Students produce scholarship that is directly applicable to work for social change and to a wide variety of academic and nonacademic careers.
Full-time students take seven courses — two (3.0 credit) required courses, four (3.0 credit) elective courses, and one (0.0 credit) Proseminar course in fall and winter semesters — and complete a Major Research Paper (50 pages) during spring and summer. The elective courses may be selected from Gender Studies graduate courses (including GNDS 850/3.0, a practicum option), graduate courses in other departments, and independently organized directed readings.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
- A four-year undergraduate degree (BAHon) from a recognized university in gender studies or cognate fields (women’s studies, feminist studies, sexuality studies) or in another field with evidence of a prior focus on gender.
- A minimum of B+ in the last two years of university study.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
Due to limited funding available to international students at Queen’s University, international applicants’ admission to the Graduate Program in Gender Studies depends upon a guarantee of additional funding from faculty supervisors. To this end, before submitting your application, we strongly encourage you to contact a potential supervisor to confirm funding support. The Gender Studies Admission Committee will not issue an offer to an international applicant without confirmation with faculty members that they are prepared to provide funding.
Full-time MA students are guaranteed funding of $16,000 and full-time PhD students are guaranteed funding of $20,000. These amounts are often exceeded. Funding typically goes to students as a combination of awards, Teaching Assistantships, Teaching Fellowships, and Research Assistantships.
Part-time students are not eligible for a funding package, but they may apply for employment at Queen’s including Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant positions.
Application Requirement,
- Letters of Recommendation: Two current academic references are required. Requests for references are sent to your referees electronically via the online application once you submit your application.
- Transcripts: Official, up-to-date transcripts for all current and previous study listed by the applicant in the ‘Academic Background’ section of their online application are required. Visit the SGS websitefor more details.
- Potential Faculty Supervisor: Review the list of potential faculty supervisorsand identify faculty members with whom you would like to work. Applicants may find it helpful to email potential supervisors to inquire as to their availability for supervision.
- Statement of Research Interests: A description of the objectives of your research, the context, relevant theories, methodology, and contribution to the advancement of knowledge. Be sure to position your proposed research in relation to current knowledge in the field of Gender Studies and critical literature you find interesting and useful.
- Current CV:An updated Curriculum Vitae or resume showing your previous education, professional, and volunteer experience
- Writing Sample: There is no word count for a writing sample submission, however we recommend submitting a sample between 8-10 pages. We are interested in seeing any of the following:
- A peer-reviewed academic journal article.
- A report that you have authored for an organization, agency, or institution.
- An unpublished thesis from an earlier degree.
- A portfolio of your contributions (e.g., an artist’s portfolio, a professional website, etc.)
- Or some other sample of your writing (e.g., an essay for a course you have already completed)
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2025
Application Fee,
A non-refundable application fee (currently $110 CDN) is required for each application submitted. Once you have submitted your application online, you will be directed to pay this fee online via Visa or Mastercard.